In recent years, Disney (DIS) has found itself caught between diversity initiatives and criticisms from those opposing such efforts.
Initially, audiences criticized Disney for not having enough diversity in its content. In response, Disney pledged to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion in its movies and TV shows.
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However, the focus has shifted, with some conservative audiences scrutinizing Disney’s content, accusing it of being “woke.”
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Notably, billionaire investor Nelson Peltz, who failed to secure seats on Disney’s board in April, argued that audiences watch Disney films for entertainment, not messaging.
“People go to watch a movie or a show to be entertained,” Peltz stated in an April interview with the Financial Times. “They don’t go to get a message.”
Disney Responds to “Woke” Criticism with Recent Change
With the anti-woke sentiment gaining momentum, particularly after Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election, Disney made a controversial decision.
The company removed a transgender storyline from its upcoming animated Pixar series “Win or Lose,” which will premiere on Disney+ on February 19. The series follows the interwoven stories of eight characters as they prepare for a championship softball game, according to Disney’s website.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
The show was initially set to include a plot about a transgender character, but Disney decided to remove dialogue and a storyline focusing on the character’s gender a few months ago.
“For animated content aimed at younger audiences, we understand that parents might prefer to address certain topics with their children on their own terms and timeline,” a Disney spokesperson explained to TheStreet.
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In a new interview with Deadline, Chanel Stewart, a transgender voice actor who voiced the character, criticized Disney’s decision, revealing that her character now identifies as “a straight cis girl” in the series.
“I was very disheartened,” Stewart expressed in the Deadline interview. “From the moment I received the script, I was excited to share my journey and empower other trans youth. This conversation is vital—trans stories matter, and they deserve to be heard.”
Disney Previously Accused of Cutting LGBTQ Themes from Content
This isn’t the first time Disney has reportedly scaled back LGBTQ themes in its content.
Disney initially removed a same-sex kiss from its 2022 film “Lightyear,” but restored it after internal backlash, especially following criticism for not speaking out against Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
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Additionally, according to an October report from IGN, Disney employees alleged they were encouraged to make a character named Riley in the movie “Inside Out 2” appear “less gay.”
Disney CEO Bob Iger has defended the company’s messaging in its films and TV shows, responding to recent “woke” criticisms in an April interview with CNBC.
“The term woke is used quite liberally,” said Iger. “I think many people don’t truly understand what it means. Ultimately, our top priority is not to infuse messaging into our films and TV shows. They should be entertaining.”
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